Most discussions about college basketball history include North Carolina and Indiana.

The blueblood teams have some of the deepest tradition in the sport. Now that the Hoosiers are back on top, their meeting in Bloomington, Ind., in the Big Ten-ACC Challenge is even more enthralling.

Tuesday's games

No. 14 North Carolina (5-1) at No. 1 Indiana (6-0)

The top-ranked Hoosiers know how to put up points. They have scored at least 95 points in three games to get off to an undefeated start.

The Tar Heels surprisingly struggled in an 82-71 loss to Butler in the Maui Invitational.

All eyes, especially those of NBA scouts, will be on forwards Cody Zeller from Indiana and James Michael McAdoo from North Carolina. Zeller, who averages 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, is familiar with the Tar Heels as his brother Tyler played for them.

McAdoo, a sophomore, averages 16.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.

A young Tar Heels team will have trouble keeping up with the veteran Hoosiers.

The ACC previously owned the Challenge, but now the Big Ten is in control and will go for its fourth straight series victory.

This season belongs to Midwest basketball, with Indiana leading the way.

The pick: Indiana.

No. 21 Minnesota (6-1) at Florida State (4-1)

Andre Hollins averaged 20 points to lead Minnesota in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. The sophomore guard and rebounding machine Trevor Mbakwe will be tough stops for the Seminoles.

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The pick: Minnesota.

No. 18 North Carolina State (4-1) at No. 3 Michigan (5-0)

The Wolfpack didn't look like the team everyone raved about in the preseason in a 20-point loss to Oklahoma State. The Wolverines are already battle tested with victories against Kansas State and Pittsburgh.

The pick: Michigan.

Maryland (4-1) at Northwestern (6-0)

The Wildcats' combination of Reggie Hearn and Drew Crawford is one of the best in the Big Ten, averaging a combined 27.4 points. But Northwestern does not have anyone to match up with the big Ukrainian from Maryland. Alex Len, a 7-foot-1 center, averages 15.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

The pick: Maryland.

Iowa (5-1) at Virginia Tech (5-0)

The Hawkeyes lost to Wichita State and needed a comeback to beat Gardner-Webb, but they still have the potential to be the surprise of the Big Ten. Roy Devyn Marble is a deadly 3-point shooter, connecting on 43.8 percent. The Hokies have some scorers in guard Erick Green (24.4 points per game) and forward Jarell Eddie (18.8).

The pick: Iowa.

Nebraska (4-1) at Wake Forest (3-2)

This one is a tossup. Wake lost by six to a solid Connecticut team but also has an ugly loss to Iona. Nebraska has a 14-point loss to Kent State.

The pick: Nebraska.

Wednesday's games

No. 4 Ohio State (4-0) at No. 2 Duke (6-0)

This is the other marquee matchup of the Challenge. The Blue Devils proved their merit by beating Kentucky, Louisville and Minnesota. Five players average double digits. Mason Plumlee leads Duke with 19.7 points and 10 rebounds per game. Ohio State has talent, namely Deshaun Thomas (24 points and 7.3 rebounds per game) but doesn't have the same resume yet.

The pick: Duke.

Virginia (4-2) at Wisconsin (4-2)

Wisconsin's losses -- to Florida and Creighton -- are nothing to be embarrassed by. Jared Berggren averages 15.2 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Badgers. Virginia's losses to George Mason and Delaware hardly compare.

The pick: Wisconsin.

No. 13 Michigan State (5-1) at Miami (3-1)

The Spartans start warming up around this time of year, but they narrowly escaped Louisiana-Lafayette with a three-point victory. Coach Tom Izzo will make sure they don't commit 20 turnovers against the Hurricanes. Miami lost by 12 points to Florida Gulf Coast. Enough said.

The pick: Michigan State.

Purdue (2-3) at Clemson (4-1)

Clemson's lone loss came to Gonzaga. The Tigers are a senior-laden team guided by forwards Milton Jennings and Devin Booker. Purdue doesn't resemble the Boilermakers teams of late. They seem to lack team chemistry and already have been saddled with losses to Villanova, Oregon State and Bucknell.

The pick: Clemson.

Georgia Tech (4-1) at No. 22 Illinois (6-0)

Illinois is playing poised and confident under new coach John Groce. With Joseph Bertrand coming off the bench to average 7.4 points, the team has a seemingly endless supply of energy. Georgia Tech forward Kammeon Holsey averages 10.6 points off the bench after starting every game last season.

The pick: Illinois.

Boston College (2-4) at Penn State (3-2)

The Eagles a mess, already hampered by a three-game losing streak. The Nittany Lions' loss to North Carolina State was expected, but falling to Akron raises a few more questions. Penn State guard Tim Frazier is the difference-maker. He averages 16.3 points and 4.8 assists per game.